For a team that fired their coach, the Tampa Bay Bucs are threatening to take over the Pro Bowl.
The Bucs added three players as Pro Bowlers in recent days, bringing their total to five. Considering that the Bucs won only six, that’s not a bad haul.
Quarterback Jameis Winson became the first rookie quarterback in history to make the team from the Bucs. Also, linebacker Lavonte David and guard Logan Mankins are Hawaii-bound.
The two will join running back Doug Martin and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy in the game.
Because Super Bowl teams do not have their players participate, there are always late additions to the Pro Bowl. David will replace Denver’s Demarcus Ware and Mankins will replace Carolina’s Trai Turner. Winston replaced New England’s Tom Brady.
Winston started all 16 games for Tampa Bay, throwing for 4,042 yards and 22 touchdown passes, with six rushing touchdowns. His 4,042 passing yards are the third-most by a rookie in NFL history and tied for the fourth-most in a single season by a Buccaneers quarterback. His combined 28 touchdowns (22 passing, six rushing) are the most by a quarterback in Buccaneers history and tie for the third-most by a rookie in NFL history.
David ranked third in the NFL in tackles (147), while leading all linebackers in passes defended (13) and tying for the second-most interceptions by linebackers (three). Since entering the league, David ranks first in the league in solo tackles (404), second in total tackles (576), second in tackles for loss (67), second in interceptions by a linebacker (nine), and third in passes defensed by a linebacker (31).
Mankins helped anchor an offensive line that featured four new starters, including two rookies, yet ranked fifth in the NFL in rushing yards per game (135.1), tied for the fourth-fewest sacks allowed (27.0) and fifth in total yards per game (375.9).
It will be David’s first trip to the game. Mankins will go to his seventh, but his first as a Buc.
